Supported by the “Power Our Potential” initiative of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce’s Advantage Manhattan economic development plan, the Greater Manhattan Community and Economic Development Strategy will bring the community together behind a consensus vision for a thriving, sustainable, and equitable future for the Central Flint Hills region. Extensive quantitative research will be paired with comprehensive outreach to Manhattan Area leaders and constituencies to inform the development of an action plan designed to be effectively implemented by the Chamber and its partners across the public and private sectors.

The key components of this project include:

Phase 1: Community Assessment

In today’s competitive economic climate, it is important that regional leaders have an honest appraisal of current trends affecting the Manhattan Area’s economy. The Community Assessment takes a detailed look at a diverse array of indicators that impact Greater Manhattan’s economic competitiveness and compares these trends to three strong benchmark communities – Columbia, Missouri, Fort Collins, Colorado, and Ames, Iowa – the state of Kansas and the nation. Research and findings will be structured according to key narrative “stories” that emerge from the analysis. To supplement the statistical data from local, state and national agencies, the Assessment will also include public input through focus groups, interviews, and an online community survey.

Phase 2: Target Sector Analysis and Marketing Review

The Analysis will seek to identify target business sectors with the greatest potential to drive job creation, elevate standards of living in Greater Manhattan, and catalyze growth and development. Research will focus not only on businesses, but the occupational concentrations that support them as well as innovation, infrastructure, and entrepreneurial capacities. The Marketing Review will assess the Advance Manhattan marketing program to determine its strengths, challenges, and future needs in the context of the broader Community and Economic Development Strategy.

Phase 3: Community and Economic Development Strategy

The Strategy represents the culmination of all the quantitative and qualitative research to date through the development of detailed action items geared towards addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities for a visionary future. The plan will be supported by innovative best practices successfully implemented by communities from around the country. Where possible, the Strategy will incorporate the numerous efforts already underway in Greater Manhattan. Upon approval by the project Steering Committee, the Strategy will serve as the Manhattan Area’s blueprint for competitive enhancement across a broad range of strategic categories.

Phase 4: Implementation Plan

A plan, no matter how visionary, is only valuable when it is implemented. The Implementation Plan represents a work plan for the Chamber and its implementation partners to ensure that the Strategy is activated and sustained for the next five years and beyond. The Plan will formalize timelines for phasing in the Strategy’s multiple actions, identify lead and support implementation entities, determine existing and necessary financial and personnel capacity to drive implementation, propose optimal staffing and governance operations, and confirm performance metrics to track implementation progress and success.